Women hold advocacy forum for increased participation in Somalia politics

Several Somali legislators, government officials, youth participants, and aspiring parliamentarians joined women’s groups and human rights activists to discuss ways to increase the participation of women in politics and securing the 30 percent women’s quota in Somalia’s upcoming national elections.

Organised on Monday by the Political Affairs Unit of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the forum in Mogadishu discussed the barriers women face in political participation, how to overcome them, and the proposed laws on women’s rights that are before the House of the People of the Federal Government of Somalia.

Poor networking among female politicians, lack of financial support, exploitation, deep rooted cultural practices, poor organisation, and lack of lobbying efforts by women leaders were identified as some of the issues affecting women participation in politics across the country.

Amina Mohammed, a Member of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia who was a panelist at the conference, urged female leaders to form a formidable coalition to combat the many challenges facing them.

Amina, a Parliamentarian who was born and raised in Mogadishu, told female aspirants and advocates not to lose hope, but dedicate their efforts to support women to actively participate in politics and governance.

Muna Hassan Mohamed, a Political Officer at AMISOM, underlined the importance of conducting such fora to empower women in politics and promised that AMISOM will continue to support Somalia, particularly women, on the country’s return to peace and security.

Hafsa Elmi, a Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister said some of the reforms needed to enable more women participation include change of cultural attitudes and practices that are harmful to girls and women, and inhibit their professional development.

At the end of the meeting, the participants resolved to support female candidates at all levels in the upcoming polls and beyond the 2020/2021electoral process as a way of changing Somalia’s political landscape.